Goal is making cycling safe in The Woodlands

Advocacy group pushes for bicycle lanes and shoulders to make the area more rider-friendly

By Lindsay Peyton

Published 3:23 pm, Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Photo: David Hopper, Freelance

Image 1of/1

Caption

Close

Image 1 of 1

Bike The Woodlands Coalition member George Mendes rides with fellow members at Market Street in The Woodlands. The coalition is composed of a group of cyclists who are promoting better biking infrastructure in The Woodlands. less

Bike The Woodlands Coalition member George Mendes rides with fellow members at Market Street in The Woodlands. The coalition is composed of a group of cyclists who are promoting better biking infrastructure in ... more

Photo: David Hopper, Freelance

Goal is making cycling safe in The Woodlands

1 / 1

Back to Gallery

Area cyclists are banding together to make sure their voices are heard.

Members of the Bike The Woodlands Coalition say the time is right for a change in the amount of attention cycling is given as a viable form of transportation in the area.

"We're at a major turning point in The Woodlands," coalition member George Mendes said.

He said three studies are examining the area's transportation needs - the South County Mobility Study, The Woodlands Township Transit Plan and the 2014 Thoroughfare Plan.

"If those plans do not incorporate cycling-friendly attributes, it will be almost impossible to change them," Mendes said.

"That's one reason why the coalition has become fairly active."

Bike The Woodlands Coalition is a grassroots effort, dedicated to developing strategies to make the community more bicycle-friendly.

Mendes said anyone can get involved.

"Our mantra is 'All types of trips, all kinds of bikes and all kinds of people,' " he said.

The group seeks to develop an infrastructure that connects neighborhoods, businesses and parks in Montgomery and surrounding counties that is safe and convenient for cyclists.

Members envision a transportation system that would include protected bike lanes, visible signage, parking and onboard bus racks for bikes.

Now, the coalition is developing a plan of action.

"We're figuring out what are the specific action items to achieve our mission and vision," Mendes said.

Steve Schoger, an original member of the group, said there was a need for the formation of the coalition.

He said the other popular group for bike-enthusiasts, The Woodlands Cycling Club, is more of a social and ride-based club, rather than an advocacy group.

"The WCC has a membership of about 300, which seems like a lot, but only represents a small percentage of those who ride their bikes in the Woodlands and Montgomery County," Schoger said.

"Perhaps as many as 3,000 ride their bikes frequently in this area, and there may be as many as 30,000 who have a bike hanging in their garage and could or would ride if there were the right encouragement and bike friendly facilities."

Several fatalities

Schoger said that improvements in roads and bike routes have not kept up with the growth of traffic in Montgomery.

"We had several bike fatalities in a short period of time," he said. "Bob Dean, a member of the WCC and resident of Conroe, took action and formed the Bicycle Action Committee with the goal of making cycling safer in Montgomery County - as he would often say, 'for his grandchildren,' because he knew the process would take time."

"The four of us agreed to get together and push this forward," Cade recalled.

Since the core formed, membership has expanded and actively worked to have a presence with the Township.

"We're being listened to, and we've had some important dialogue with The Woodlands Township," Cade said. "We went from no one knowing us to being recognized as a group that had something to say."

Bike lanes, shoulders

The coalition's main message was the need for bike lanes and shoulders on the roads for cyclists.

"While The Woodlands has about 200 miles of bike and hike pathways, they have their limitations," Schoger said.

"Many of the pathways are winding, with limited sight distances, and are relatively narrow when it comes to two-way passages."

Besides, the paths are also shared with walkers, runners, slow-moving cyclists, baby strollers, dog walkers and roller-skaters. To become a "Bicycle Friendly Community," The Woodlands had to develop key infrastructure for cyclists.

"In addition, there needs to be education of those who share the roadways and pathways, so that safe passage can be accomplished by all users," Schoger said.

After several meetings between cycling advocates and The Woodlands Township, the board of directors submitted an application with the League of American Bicyclists in 2011.

The Woodlands was recognized with a bronze status.

Two levels to go

"That was a big accomplishment," Mendes said.

"There are two more levels to go. Part of our goal is to get to platinum. But to get there requires a big jump."

The payoff will be worth the effort, he added.

Mendes said adding bicycle lanes is good for business. Employers locate to areas where employees can cycle to work.

"Millennials and Generation Xers are looking for ways to be active and want bike lanes to commute to work," he said.

"It's also good for home values. Studies have shown that homes closer to bike lanes have higher property values."

Mendes said that biking to work also improves the health of employees.

Cade added that promoting cycling may mean less congested roads in the area.

"Every person on a bicycle is a person that's not in a car," he said.

"And that improves traffic."

First, more work needs to be done to make cycling safe and convenient in the area, Schoger said.

"Bike The Woodlands Coalition is just getting going and gaining momentum," he said.